Pause ready for anything

Before 3-1 exhibition victory over Houston, Fire captain says he will accept less playing time at right back

February 16, 2013|By Jack McCarthy, Special to the Tribune

Logan Pause stretches after the first half against the Chivas USA at the Home Depot Center. (Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports )

Logan Pause has no problem shifting to a more defensive role for the Fire even if it results in fewer minutes this season.

"Our priority is to win," the Fire captain said early Saturday before Sherjill MacDonald, Dilly Duka and Jeff Larentowicz each scored as the Fire beat the Houston Dynamo 3-2 in a first round Carolina Challenge Cup match at Blackbaud Stadium in Charleston, S.C.

"If that means that my role changes a bit and I'm playing a different position, then that's what that means. … I have no problem with it."

A series of offseason acquisitions had led Fire coach Frank Klopas to move the 31-year-old Pause to right back.

"I spent some time at right back earlier in my career so it's not completely foreign to me," he said. "I've been playing long enough that the transition should be much easier and much quicker."

The move also sets up competition with defender Jalil Anibaba.

"Whether it's Jalil and I competing or with other guys, that's kind of the nature of what we do," he said. "I'm competing and I'm not going to give up anything easily. But if that means some split time or coming off the bench then I'll move on and do whatever's necessary."

Pause said new arrivals and returning players have meshed well so far.

"We have a really strong group and the carry-over from last year to this year, coupled with the offseason acquisitions have just made us a stronger team," he said. "(And) I'm in the best physical shape that I have been in in my career."

Pause said former Columbus midfielder Robbie Rogers, who announced Friday that he is gay, would be welcomed if he chose to return to soccer. Rogers publicly announced his sexual orientation Friday and that he would step away from the sport. The Fire own his MLS rights.

"He's a wonderful, wonderful kid," Pause said. "And he's a phenomenal soccer player. Of course he would be welcomed with open arms from my end and I would hope from everyone else."

The Fire play Coastal Carolina at Charleston Southern University at noon Sunday and resume Carolina Challenge Cup play Wednesday against the host Charleston Battery.